DIY Rustic Square Ornaments and Free Printables
One of the things I hate about Christmas is having to take down all the decorations after the festive season. It’s even worse when the decorations are in a holiday home. Seriously, who wants to spend the last few days on holiday worrying about taking down all those ornaments and trying to find somewhere to put them. Not me. We just don’t have the space or the time to do that. So I’m on a mission to make small things (and sometimes really big things) that can stay up all year but still add a little Christmas cheer. Like these rustic square ornaments.
They’re beautiful, easy to make, and meaningful too. I’m all for spreading the message of hope, love, and joy throughout the year.
What you need
- Scrap pieces of 2 x 2
- Pretty paper, photos or these free printables
- Ribbon, string or twine to hang
- Paint or wood stain
- Mod Podge
- Eye screws
- Sandpaper
- Frame
- A hand saw
Okay, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
How to make the rustic square ornaments
Using a hand saw cut the 2 x 2s to make square blocks. Here’s an interesting fact for you. A 2 x 2 isn’t actually 2 inches by 2 inches. It’s smaller than that, roughly 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches (38 x 38 mm). When the lumber yards cut the wood it’s still wet but it shrinks after it’s kiln-dried, so you end up with something that’s a bit smaller than the original cut measurements. So you’ll be cutting the leftover 2 x 2s into 1 1/2 inches.
Sand away any rough bits…….
….. and stain or paint the square blocks. Since our decor style is warm and rustic, with a touch of boho, I chose to paint the squares a beautiful coppery brown. Screw an eye hook into one corner.
Confession time: Getting those little eye hooks into the corners was probably the hardest part of making these rustic, square ornaments. If you struggle to get them in the corners, don’t worry, you can just glue the blocks to a ribbon or piece of string when you’re done decorating them instead.
Decorating the Rustic Square Ornaments
I wanted these square ornaments to convey a message that would capture the spirit of Christmas, without being too ummmmmmm………… Christmassy. Does that make sense? For me, Christmas is all about love and the pure joy of giving. Everyone seems so hopeful and, for a while, the world seems like a better place. So I chose to use Hope, Joy, and Love for the ornaments. I found this amazing resource where you can download free vintage dictionary pages and music sheets, which made things so much easier. All I needed to do was resize the images, draw a heart, bell, and star, and find a pretty font to write out the words. I’ve saved you the trouble and you can download the full set here if you like.
Once the images had been trim to size, I lightly burnt the edges to “soften” them up before mod podging them onto the side of the square blocks. Add a ribbon or a piece of string and they’re ready to be hung.
Not bad for 10 minutes worth of work. Okay maybe 15 minutes, because of those darn eye screws 😉
We put ours in a frame, but they’ll look good hanging on your Christmas tree too. Or you can use them as part of your table decor.
I’m thinking of making a few more to give as gifts. Maybe mod podge some picture of the kids on them for their Grandparents. What would you put on yours?
If you like the idea of making square ornaments using wood off cuts, don’t forget to pin it for later.
What about you? Do you hate packing away the decorations too? Oh and by the way, if you’re struggling to find some of the things we used, I’ve got you covered. Disclosure: If you click on the links below, we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more unique DIY and craft ideas for you;-)
Wishing you everything that’s beautiful and true this festive season. I hope it brings you nothing but fond memories, love, and laughter. See you in the new year.
These are gorgeous, Michelle! And I absolutely adore them hanging in the picture frame. I’m seriously copying this and putting it in my own home. 🙂 And I have a love/hate relationship with packing away seasonal decor. I love the change, but sometimes hate the process.
Thanks so much Amy, I’m glad you liked them and copy away. That always makes my heart happy when someone enjoys the things we share enough to want to make some for themselves ?
Another amazing project! Love this, Michelle!
How do you come up with ideas? Do they come to you in a dream? You’re like an inexhaustible well of ideas! Also, do you sell your craft on Etsy? You really should. Hugs!
? Awwwwww thank you Jas. And no we don’t sell on Etsy, maybe one day when I retire. Now we just make things for our own home. xoxoxoxo
These ornaments are so adorable, Michelle. I love the rustic look. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a healthy, happy and successful 2019, and many creative projects.
And a happy New year to you too my friend ?
Such great materials were used! They are so cute and perfect for decorations anywhere at home. I love it!
Thanks so much Elizabeth ?
These are so cute! I love how easy this is to make, I think I’ll give it a try.
Thanks so much Sue-Tanya, I’m glad you like them. Have fun ?
These are amazinG! I try to buy things that are winter themed and this way it is so much easier to enjoy them just a bit longer!
Thank you Justyna ? I’m really glad you like them
Wow! I just love the look of these! So unique. I never thought I’d say this but you definitely can have Christmas without the glitter!
You sure can ?
These are really cute! Thanks for sharing
You’re most welcome Kimberly. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment
Wow, that handicrafts were so beautiful! And 15 minutes? Seriously? Just imagining how to do that might take me an hour. Lolz
? Thanks so much Rachael. The thing that took the most time was getting the little eye screws in the corners of the blocks.
What an attractive diy decoration. I had to pin this one. This could be adapted for any season.
Thank you Blair ?
These are so amazing and they look incredibly easy to make. They look like they make great decorative pieces!
They are easy and it’s a great way to use up scrap bits of wood too. Thanks so much Danielle
Cute ornaments Michelle! These could be left up all year. I love the idea of putting the grandkids on the little blocks, in fact I’ve been wanting to do something of the grandkids on wood and these would be perfect.
I have often wondered why they call them 2 by 2’s or 2 by 4’s when their not. Why not call them what they really are. ?
It puzzled me to and then reading all about the difference between nominal and actual measurements and how wood shrinks it kinda makes sense. But it’s still a bit weird ?
What a fabulous idea, I don’t think I’ve seen square ornaments before. So many possibilities!
? Glad you like them Claire. I bet you’ll come up with a few beautiful ways to change make and use square ornaments
Oh my yes packing those decorations away are the worst. I love it when they go up and not even 5 minutes later start stressing about taking them down again 😀 this is really cool idea. I think I’ll try do them with photos
Ugh, I know how you feel Suzi. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could wave some kind of magic wand and poof all the decorations are packed away neatly after Christmas. So happy you like these
Michelle these are so sweet. Love how you have them hanging from the frame like that. Such outside the box thinking. Thanks for sharing your resource with us. I am going to check it out. Merry Christmas to you my friend!
And Merry Christmas to you too Mary. Wishing you and your loved ones all that’s beautiful and good this season
Your craft ideas are always so top notch. This is very different and gives me all sorts of ideas for decor. The printables are so rustic and antique looking, its gorgeous Michelle.
Thank you so much Leanna, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that ?
The cutest little squares!! I am with ya, the worst is taking it all down, although it comes to the point somewhere in January where I feel like starting fresh. But I also love having decor up that can stay longer than just one season, so these little square ornaments are perfect for that!!
Thanks so much Katrin. It would be lovely if the whole spirit of Christmas could stay all year long, but I suppose then everyone would get tired of it and not see the specialness anymore.